Learning new things...

Summer is finally here in Lake Stevens! We have been enjoying some nicer weather, getting outside and feeling like maybe mother nature isn't totally bipolar! The amount of rain and gray days we have had recently had us wondering if summer was ever going to show up! Last weekend we spent 2 wonderful days hanging out on our patio and enjoying the lake. It seems like an eternity since we have been able to do that. The new patio that we poured last summer is very nice and makes for a lot more space to "be". We got some new lounge chairs and a fun floating island that Ella thinks is the coolest thing since sliced bread!

Libby is doing much better. The probiotics she is taking are finally having an effect on her tummy. Things are processing easier and a LOT of the screaming she was doing has stopped. I took her to the chiropractor today and she is VERY out of alignment. Her neck and hips are bent and she is kinda "C" shaped like a little bent wire. I can't believe I hadn't noticed it before... it is so obvious now. Also, the way she likes to be held and comforted has a lot to do with holding her in the right position. The chiropractor is someone who specializes in babies. She adjusted her, which looked like her poking her with her 2 pointer fingers (gently) and home we went. It didn't seem to have a great effect on the "bent" part, but she did have a full diaper today. Not sure if it's totally related, but we will see with the future adjustments I have on the books for her.

Life is getting better. We have switched Libby to another formula that has a little more to it than the hypoallergenic formula she was on. We have been mixing it with the hypo formula to get her used to it at 1/2 strenght. The hypo formula wasn't sticking with her and she was eating every hour and 1/2. She is stretching longer with this formula and seems to be happier, generally. Soon we will give her the new milk full strength and I am sure she will start to give me a 3 hour stretch of sleep at night. I really wanted to ease her into the new type and not create troubles with her bowels being on a less broken down milk.

Ella is doing well. She has started summer camp which is the same as her preschool with new lessons focused around reading enrichment. It is nice for her to have school 2 times a week. She really likes it! If she is not in school I am taking her with me to run errands and spend time together while LIbby is at home with Sasa. She likes the one on one time with Mommy and we do little fun things or have "treats" while we are out and about.

With the sun coming out, I am hoping to do some camping in the travel trailer. I would like to get that ready to go so that we can hit the road when ready! Until then, Dale's company picnic is coming up in 2 weeks, and I was hoping to take Duke for a ride on Saturday! We shall see what happens!

E

Happy 4th!

We have had lots of little firsts with Libby this week. She is starting to coo and has been making some cute little noises with her voice. She doesn't realize it is HER voice making those little squeals while kicking on the changing table which is pretty cute. We gave her the first bath on June 20th and she has had a few since then. She doesn't like it but she is getting used to the idea of being naked. She had her first afternoon nap in her crib (picture above) and was passed out for 3 hours. She likes to sleep on her belly some and it is the perfect place for her to do that.

Her colicky belly is getting better each day. I am not sure if it is the probiotics she is on or if it is that we are figuring out what makes her more comfortable. The screaming is greatly diminished with only a couple of episodes each day. She is happy and content, typically, during the day which is a wonderful time to enjoy her. She sure is cute! Right now she is going through the baby acne stage and has a bunch of little red bumps all over her face.

Ella is doing good. She will go back to school on tuesday for summer camp. Basically it is the same thing as preschool. She will be excited to see her friends that she has been missing for the last 2 weeks. Daddy has been sleeping in her room while Libby and I occupy the master bedroom. They are enjoying each other's company and that way Daddy is able to get more rest. Libby is still giving me one 2.5 hour stretch at night then waking up every hour to eat. She is one hungry girl!!!

It is a blessing to have each day improve and Libby feeling better. She is one darling little itty bitty being and we are eating her up with love.

A Little Relief... Libby is ONE MONTH OLD!

Our little Libby is doing better on the hypoallergenic formula and prune juice. The crying and discomfort is still there but at much less frequency and volume! I took her to a midwife naturopath and we put her on probiotics. That will take about 2 weeks to help regulate her digestive system and get things moving more efficiently. Until then, she is one little gassy and uncomfortable being at times. She will grow out of it.

As of now she is being held in one way or another most of the day. There are windows here and there that she can be put down on something very soft to give us a rest. I also put her in the moby wrap (a kind of baby sling you wear) and go about my business. That last for a while. We can take a walk or I can do chores but it is limited.

Her schedule and Ella's are kind of opposite. It is sometimes hard to get Libby settled before midnight with her fussing and discomfort. Ella goes to bed between 9-10 and Dale has to get her settled and through the night routine. Once I get Libby settled I go to bed, she wakes up to feed almost every hour starting at 2ish and then has an awake time around 6am. She likes to go back to sleep about 7:30am which is when Ella gets up. So suffice to say, both of them are making sure night time sleep is a little questionable.

Alyssa (Sasa) is helping out during the day so I can sleep an hour here or there and get errands run (like groceries) as needed. Sasa is a baby whisperer and can get Libby past her crying fits. The crying doesn't bother Sasa, she just works through it with Libby and settles her as best she can.

As it turns out, Libby really likes to be out and about. We have had a couple of successful outings with her to dinner. As long as the restaurant is loud and lots happening, she is pretty content. Dale has joked that we need to take her out every night! LOL.

We are making sure we enjoy the time that is passing us by. A month has already flown by and she has already gained almost 2 lbs! Although times are tough and trying, we are aware of how important it is to smell the roses and ENJOY her being a newborn. She sure is cute!

I will post more pics soon!